(repost from May 4th, 2008) - blessing #5 - babies

This past weekend I got to meet two new babies - my friend Tracie's baby Lucas (a month old), and the newest addition to Berean Baptist, John Gage - called "Gage" as, i guess, most of his dad's line of men are named John ____ and go by their middle name. Rather cool concept, if you ask me. 


   At -(one of my roomates)- Danielle's baby shower, Lucas was a darling most of the time I held him. We had fun... I put him on his stomach across my lap and he just chilled until his socks fell off.   It was great to see Danielle and Leonard again, and watch how excited they were to get ready for their baby and how loving they were towards each other.  It was also great to see Tracie and Lucas and how becoming a mommy has changed my friend for the better - someone as small as Lucas was, making such a difference in so many lives. 
   
And at church today I met Gage - the oldest looking newborn I've ever met. He had the aged, wise old man look to his face, which was intriguing to see on one so young. Not your ordinary chubby-cheeked baby-faced baby, but a young man in a baby's body.  Incredibly handsome, to say the least, and incredibly tiny.  And fashionable, in his little white knit cap. 


Both of these little men were fortunate enough to be born into families where God is honored and people have made the choice to serve the Master rather than the World... how many others have been born this year alone into families that are struggling to make ends meet or struggling with sin and its effects?  Pray for the babies you never meet - and the ones you do.  I've seen God work in so many lives, and I know for a fact not all of these lives started in homes where God reigned. 
I've also seen children that have been blessed with parents who "chose" (if you will) to follow Christ, only to run away from their Creator as soon as they leave home. 



I wish it weren't that way.  I need far more than both of my hands to keep a count of the people I know who've been entrusted with godly, loving parents only to turn their back on everything true and real.  



Choices, decisions, and heartbreak.  



"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Pr. 22:6

"If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselvesthis day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers servedbeyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  - Joshua 24:15


Something somewhere - most likely the nasty thing we know as sin - gets in the way of the "way he should go" and forces the people who were once babies to make a choice... a choice much like the ones made by the Israelites in Joshua's time.  God's side - the God who basically conquered the inhabitants of the land for the Israelites, or the world's side?

a choice that - when made - can set fire to the innocence of the babies we adore. 

One day, Lucas and Gage will have to choose. As must you and I.  Joshua commands his people to make their choices ASAP.  There is an urgency there, because innocence once lost is never again found in its entirety.  

Pray for these two new little men, and for the babies you meet or are planning on meeting - pray that God will allow them to make a choice for Him, and that their parents will lead them into the battle for truth.  

Pray for your own choices; pray that the choice you make every day will be to serve the God of Israel.  All other gods will fall before the true God, as will all who chose false gods... 

pray for innocence to return to our land.  Make choices that bring innocence back... see what He can do when you do. 


I hope this post was encouraging... and understandable.  It's just something I've had on my mind and I needed to share it.  


from my olde Xanga 

Romans Road Day 1 -all people know God ...

I am working on memorizing Romans (as part of my short-term 30-something bucket list) and I just need to share what I'm learning. I guess I'll call it the Romans Road, because i am ... digesting as i walk (?) it.

Along with memorization, I am listening through Piper's Romans series. The title of this post comes from this sermon :) He talks about Romans 1:19 - [for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness] because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

An excerpt you MUST read:
"All people know God

Step two: All the men and women and young people in the urban center of Minneapolis know God. Verse 21a: "They knew God." There is a profound common ground between you and everyone you will ever meet in this city. Yes, the truth is suppressed, but it is there, buried and distorted. God has not left himself without a witness - to every mind and heart. You will not be talking to trees. You will be talking to people who look at trees and see the glory of God. They know God - his eternal power and deity.

3. But they suppress this knowledge

Step three: Nevertheless, they suppress this knowledge and do not glorify God or give him thanks (verse 21b). This means at least that, since you love the glory of God and want him to receive the worship he is due, you will labor with all your strength in the power of God's Spirit to open their hearts to the truth and spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.

4. So, everyone is without excuse before God

Step four: Everyone in urban Minneapolis and St. Paul, and indeed every person on this planet, is "without excuse" under the wrath of God. Nobody can bring any legitimate protest against God's justice in this matter. This means, Kenny, that the great urban tragedy is not drugs or illicit sex or murder or theft or poverty or homelessness or abuse. The great urban tragedy is that people are perishing under the wrath of God with no appeal and no hope. They are without excuse."

Praise Yahweh that He made a way for this Gentile to be part of the daughters of Sarah, and part of the everlasting kingdom :)

And if you DO have any extra time this week, give this sermon a listen : ) click the link above to read it, and search the area to download the .mp3 free!! :)

I will never . . .

There are some things I know without a doubt that I will never be.

There are some things I am still learning that I will never be, praise His unchanging name!

I will never be a man.

I will never be a son.

I will never be a father.

I will never be a grandfather.

I will never be an uncle.

I will never be a nephew.

I will never be a deacon.

I will never be a pastor.

I will never be the president of the United States of America.

I will never be abandoned.

I will never be deserted.

I will never be forsaken.

I will never be hungry.

I will never be thirsty.

I will never be cast into utter darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I will never understand all the Creator and Redeemer (among so many other descriptive names!) has done for me.

I will never be snatched from the hands of YHWH.

I will never die.

Can't Touch This!

There is nothing - no circumstance, no trouble, no testing - that can ever touch me until, first of all it has gone past God and past Christ, right through me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as i lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret - for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is - that is the rest of victory.
~based on Romans 8:28-29, by Alan Redpath (former pastor of Moody Church)

Not that it really matters, but:

We all know your name. We all know your birthday, what color your eyes are, what your favorite food is. I’m not going to ask those dumb questions. Instead…

--Any names your parents were thinking about that you would prefer?
IDK, my bff Rose?

--If you had to pick one outfit that you currently own to wear for the rest of your life, what would it consist of?
jeans and a shirt, with a sweatshirt, knee socks, and flip flops in case it's warm. Also, shorts. because i am a Michigander at heart, and I change clothes a LOT.

--What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
My heart will live on ... well, I'll get a new body and spend the rest of forever with the One Who Breathes Stars and became human to take the consequences of my sin ... :- )

--What TV show have you seen every episode of?
Mr. Bean (it's only one season!) and Crossing Jordan and Gilmore Girls.

--What movie can you quote every line to?
no? I can quote a good number of line-age from A Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy grail, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Also, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

--What bands have you seen in concert?
Five Iron Frenzy, Bleach, Holland, Sara Groves, Bebo Norman, GoFish, Fernando Ortega (<3!) MercyMe, Monk & Neagle

--What bands would you like to see in concert?
Brian Regan (haha), TSO, Shane and Shane,

--If you had the money to retire anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Retire? erm,... out west in the winter, Michigan in the summer. and most of the winter. Depending on my ligaments. :-p

--Is there a piece of jewelry or something similar that if you lost, you would feel naked?
sometimes my ring. or chapstick.

--What is one thing [appearance-wise or other] you would change about yourself?
my vision, but that'll change someday :)

--One thing you would change about your best friend?
Nothing!

--Everyone remembers their first birthday party that involved friends. Describe yours.
we popped balloons with our bottoms. it was fun :)

--What do you think is the perfect age and why?
every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before =)

--If you could go back in time and change your first kiss, would you?
no. because... it hasn't happened.

--How many times have you said “I love you” to someone of the opposite sex [romantically] and meant it?
zero! (in my head, though, fifteen million! ha. )

--How many times have you said it and not meant it?
That would be zero.

--Which member of your family has the biggest influence on your life?
Me mum.

--If you won a $1,000 shopping spree to one store, what store would you want it to be?
TJ MAxx

--Which is your favorite comic book movie [The Hulk, Spiderman, Ironman, etc]?
Ironman. =-)

--What do you think this phrase means: “I am drearily bloodletting this bedwetting cosmonaut”?
That Russian is SICK!

--If you could go back in time and relive one memory – relive it, not change it – what memory would it be?
TWIRP with Chris, Brian, and Teresa. That was pretty neato.

--How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike?
I think my friend Amy was in 2nd or 3rd grade, and she was a grade ahead of me. She taught me some stuff...

--Who taught you?
see prior Q

--When you go to the movies, do you like to get candy or popcorn?
i only like popcorn on occasion at the movies... :-p I bring M&Ms, or sometimes buy nachos.

-Describe the first real party you ever went to [i.e. first party with alcohol].
Wow... shallow ;) Us church kids partied hard without substances.

--If you’ve never been to one, explain why not.
Also, see prior Q's A.

--Did/do you like high school? Why or why not?
a little. Pep band, great teachers, Spanish class...

--Do you have ONE best friend, who stands out among all the others, that’s been there for you seemingly forever?
Christee n Kelli

--If so, who is it?
^^^^

--If not, do you prefer having just a group of good friends, or would you like to have that one best friend?
yes

--Do you prefer the sound of electric, acoustic, or steel guitar?
depends on the song. I like me some country, some men's voices, and some hard rock.

--Have you ever read the Bible – even just a little part of it?
Yes :) And the more I read, the thrstier I get! :)

--Have you ever read the Koran?
Nopers

--What was the best pet you’ve ever had?
Dolly! (*Giant African Millipede)

--Out of all the states you’ve visited/lived in, which is your favorite?
Michigan, because I spent a large portion of life here. ... and there's humidity. Which is good for me. : )

--Do you enjoy jigsaw puzzles?
Yes!

--If you were allowed one murder without punishment, would you do it?
I'm a depraved creature, let's not say I haven't thought about it. :- (

--Where do you keep your wallet when you’re out and about?
everything. Unless Max (my friends' kiddo) goes through it and looks at stuff inside ;) Then it's in his hands :-p haha.

--Have you ever seen a ghost?
Boone's Restaurant in TC, yes! :- o or my camera exposure. hahaha.

--How about seen things happen that you think were caused by a ghost?
tv!

--Did you have Beanie Babies as a kid?
a few. ... And got a few when i was older. Well, it didn't really Happen until I was in at least junior high lols.

--Did you have tag protectors for their tags, or did you just rip the tags off?
yes, but i didn't really care. lol.

--Do you prefer stripes or polka dots?
both, but mostly polka dots. onthings, not clothing =-)

--What’s the best Christmas present you ever received?
I like them all equally. haha... erm, my luggage? kitchen gadgets? :- )

--Which of your birthdays was the most memorable?
My 20th, I think it was - The last LOTR was in theaters and I saw it with a bunch of peeps. :) And wore my new boots that made me taller :)

--Name one song you can play on an instrument – any instrument.
A Lot of Stuff on my flutie

--Who taught you to play that song?
a book. a few of them. :)

--Out of all the teachers you’ve had, who had the biggest influence on you?
Mr. Lameyer and Señorita Rigueiro

--Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?
on a minibike. ... i drove.

--How about a moped?
nopers!

--When you were little, what was your favorite Disney movie?
Maybe Beauty and the Beast or Little Mermaid?

--What’s your favorite Disney movie now?
Beauty and the Beast!

--On the opposite sex, do you prefer muscles, average size, or scrawny bodies?
a few muscles, not the creepy kind, and a big heart.

--What’s the best gift you’ve ever received from a significant other?
waiting for me ? :-p

--What’s your favorite kind of chips?
BBQ, or baked something. Or carrots. :-p

--That you know of, do you have any famous ancestors?
John (Quincy) Adams

--Did you ever beg your parents for a pony?
who knows...

--Would you rather be blind or deaf?
deaf, because... I love seeing what I can see, and I have terrible vision as it is... alright, that sounds just plain weird.

--Is there someone you’ve been enemies with since you were little, and it’s never changed despite growing up and becoming more mature?
no.

--What laundry soap do you think smells the best?
that one

--Do you prefer Spongebob or Patrick?
neither. eww. ewww. ewwww.

--If you’re currently dating someone, would you be ready to elope with them right now if they asked?
not

--If you’re not dating someone, can you think of one person that you would elope with right now if they asked?
no. I want a real wedding. with all my girlies at my side.

--Who do you think is the hottest actor/actress in Hollywood right now?
Gerard Butler and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I heart accents!

--Do you watch The Office?
yes, mainly online because we hath not television.

--If you don’t, have you at least seen one episode?
:)

--If you haven’t, are you aware that you should be brutally punished?
hahaha

--What’s the stupidest TV show on the air right now?
Deal or No Deal

--Have you ever written a song or a poem?
poems spewed forth rapidly from mine heart in high school...

--If you have, have you ever written a song or a poem for someone?
yes. For a homeless guy, for aborted babies, etc.

--Last but not least, type some funny or inspiring lyrics as a closing:
She sees love where everyone else would see weeds,

dandelions - You see flowers in these weeds =-) (Five Iron Frenzy)

He DELIGHTED in me.

This morning I woke up - an hour early - super refreshed from not-that-much sleep, and the remnants of my dream stayed with me for the majority of the day.

Jud Kratzer - a friend from college: one of the brave older souls who lived in the dorms with mostly freshman, full of wisdom and humor, and knowledge of fishtype things, who married an amazing woman and dashed off to the great northeast...

was in my dream. He gave me some sage advice, although I'm not even sure how he got in my dream...

And somehow we were talking about how people express themselves differently (perhaps this is because I find it extremely hard to put myself / my thoughts into spoken word at times, as most of my close-ies know. . .

And he said something along the lines of "you're more poetical than logical..."

which was weird, but it makes sense to me, in a way. It's so hard to just "out with it" in conversation sometimes, especially as is the American non-patient way of life and needs answers NOW. I like to think before i speak, and when people are impatient, I end up saying stupid things that never needed to be saying. I've been learning again the importance of shutting up - not all the time, like in high school - but when necessary.

And it's good. . .

But then I woke up with a verse dancing through my head:

He delivered me because He delighted in me. (psalm 18.19b)

And even though I've, well, delighted in this tidbit of a verse before, it was amazing to wake up to it. God is so so so amazing. And beyond my understanding. So I am not even going to attempt to expound - but I'd love your comments! (on blogger or on the FB)! :)